Original subtitles

What are you waiting for?

Behead him now.

Didn't you hear me?

I said behead...

My lord!

- Chairman! - My lord!

- What's happening? - Chairman!

My lord!

- Chairman! - My lord.

Please wake up!

Compose yourselves.

Let me feel his pulse.

Did he complain of any pains these days?

Let me think.

When he left home today, he said he had a headache.

Headache? How come?

He bumped his head...

against a pillar the other day.

Since that incident, he often complains of a headache.

I was there too.

He just had a small bump from the incident.

It is nothing serious.

He's already run down by overwork,

he only fell down in a swoon under the blazing sun.

Once he is carried home and rests, he will come around soon.

Maybe he won't.

Stop there!

Doesn't he easily get bruises or cold soles in the mouth?

He does indeed.

And when he has a nosebleed, it hardly stops, right?

Walk him off now!

It could be a chronic subdural hematoma,

a collection of blood in the head.

Bleeding might've occurred in his brain at that time,

and the bleeding can fill his head if his bleeding usually lasts.

In that case, if left untreated,

he can fall into a critical condition!

That's transparent guile to preserve your life.

There's no time. His life is at stake!

What do you know? You didn't even take his pulse.

Since that day, doesn't he have difficulty...

in walking or swallowing water?

Or tremor of the hands.

How did you know that?

His symptoms are very clear. There's no time.

- Gyung Tak. - My lord!

Are you sure you can save his life?

I'll try my best.

What if...

you fail to save him? Then what?

Then...

you can take my life.

Hey, what are you thinking?

What he needs is just rest.

Listen!

Bring a palanquin now! And...

he shall come with us.

I must save his life to save mine.

But if I don't see bleeding in his head,

it's likely to be a stroke,

which is incurable in this era.

I only hope...

it is a hematoma.

My lord, they brought something from your office.

How is it going?

My lord!

You were still here?

Let me help the doctor.

What?

When he operated on my brother, I assisted him by his side, so...

You don't need to.

He said it's urgent.

It's a matter of life and death of the Assembly Chairman.

Let's open the frontal region...

where a hematoma is usually located.

You are making a big mistake.

What's this you're doing believing that lunatic?

Please keep quiet.

He is under the knife.

I hear you are...

quite good at divination, Chunhong.

Why don't you predict the future...

of that doctor and the Assembly Chairman?

Today, would those two lives...

live together...

or go down to the shades together?

My goodness.

It's a dura mater.

Once I incise it...

Aren't you done yet?

Now I need to check if blood is gathered inside here.

Please, there should be a hematoma capsule.

Please...

There isn't.

I can't see hematoma.

How did it go?

Did you find the blood collection?

Answer me!

I need...

to put another opening.

You...

What did you just say?

I don't see the blood collection.

- I need to make another... - Shut up!

How dare you play tricks over his life!

I told you.

Let people drag him out now!

If I stop here, he will die!

I'll continue.

I said to stop!

My lord, compose yourself and give him a second chance.

He'll definitely save the Assembly Chairman. Isn't that right?

I will do my best.

Stop!

If you don't,

I will make a hole in your head.

What's that sound?

Make no mistake this time.

The second time, I won't miss the target, either.

We found it! We see the collection of blood!

That's impossible.

I don't believe it.

Don't worry.

The blood should be removed anyway.

- How's the Assembly Chairman? - I don't know!

Where on earth did he learn...

that awful medicine?

It is finished.

With some good rest, he'll wake up in a few days.

Could you give us a moment?

Did you study Western medicine?

You could say that.

You still keep many secrets.

Will you tell me the truth after some gruesome torture?

Don't be scared though.

You saved the Assembly Chairman. I will spare your life in return.

Also, I will set you free.

But you shall tell me...

the truth about your identity and your medicine someday.

Bear in mind that we will keep an eye on you...

until then.

Do you understand?

I'll take your advice.

This man is indispensable in this country.

You've done meritorious service.

I appreciate it.

I am Kim Gyung Tak.

Jin Hyuk.

I heard that you had no place to go.

Though it's humble, I'd like you to stay at my house.

Oh...

I appreciate it, but you don't have to.

You saved my life.

It'd be wrong if I disregard my savior in trouble.

Don't you agree?

Please, do not refuse my goodwill. Come with us.

Father!

Father!

Father.

Father...

Oh, Father.

What's a mishap you have.

Your son,

Dae Gyoon is here.

Please wake up, Father!

He needs rest.

How dare you!

You decided on the treatment against the royal physician?

Who do you think you are?

The Assembly Chairman was in a critical condition.

I had no choice.

You're a lowly born of a concubine.

Did you want to play his son during my absence?

That is absurd!

Sure.

Do you think I don't know the malice in your heart?

With such insignificant martial arts skills,

you are antsy to win Father's favor...

to compensate for your humble origins.

Am I wrong?

I am...

a mere servant of the Assembly Chairman and the Andong Kim clan.

Shut up, you despicable!

No matter how exceptional you are,

you are nothing but a child of a concubine.

Do you understand?

I will keep it in mind.

The room is too shabby...

for the savior of my brother.

I don't mind.

By the way,

I'll give you this back.

I think I don't need to keep it for you anymore.

I'm glad that you are unharmed.

Well then.

By any chance,

haven't we...

met before?

Never mind.

I'll let you rest.

Come here. Let's have fun.

Look!

There comes my precious Chunhong!

This party to celebrate the Assembly Chairman's complete recovery.

Surely she has to join us.

I see she's...

quite a beauty.

I made this since it's the Assembly Chairman's favorite,

but I'm afraid it's too small a gift.

Do I have to go there?

What are you talking about?

Of course, you should be since Gyung Tak specially invited you.

The Assembly Chairman is your future father-in-law.

Give him my felicitation,

and mind your manners in paying your respects to him.

Do I look that weird?

No, it fits you well.

You are more like its owner than I am.

That's all thanks to Lady Young Lae. She sewed it all night.

Now, stop.

By the way, your hair is the problem.

It's too short to tie a topknot.

But I'm comfortable as it is.

It is a formal party.

You need to stand on formality.

I have an idea.

I'm attaching horsehair. It can feel uneasy.

It's done.

I understand the virtues of Confucius and Mencius...

but I am unlucky with exams.

So I failed four times in a row.

Flunked.

Why do you say like that?

It is not because you are short of learning.

It's because the rich and the powerful...

pull some strings among themselves.

Young Lae, people might hear you.

I'm just upset. That's all.

Young...

She has quite a temperament.

If born male, she would've achieved great work.

I am going in this direction.

I hope you enjoy a warm welcome.

Thank you. See you then.

How is your wound?

We were very concerned about you.

I'm all right.

Is everybody unharmed?

We lost three.

I was foolish.

The police bureau leaked false information to catch us.

Kim Gyung Tak.

I'm sure he was the brain.

How about putting him to the sword?

Do not act rashly.

The police will increase patrols.

Stay low until I instruct you otherwise.

Did you get it?

- Yes. - Yes.

Perfect indeed!

That was a superb performance.

I'm glad I didn't depart this life.

Inscrutable are your favors.

It could have been a lot worse. May the Assembly Chairman live long.

Sure, I will.

Is it true you are quite good at divination?

Why don't you tell the fortune of the Assembly Chairman?

It is just a pastime.

There is nothing special about my divination.

Moreover, the Assembly Chairman is under divine protection.

Telling his fortune would be nonsense.

Divine protection...

Am I under divine protection?

A doctor of nowhere cured your disease...

even the royal physician didn't know.

How is that not divine protection?

Yes, what you said is right.

Don't you think so, Royal Physician?

Right.

Chunhong, you embarrassed the royal physician.

Go offer him a drink.

Your wish is my command.

You have come.

The Assembly Chairman is waiting for you.

So, you are staying at her house?

My family asked him to do so.

That would be our duty as beneficiaries.

It could be uncomfortable for you.

Not at all.

Everybody has been nice to me.

Let's go.

How dare you stop me!

Hey! Doctor Jin!

What kind of nonsense is this?

You should have called me...

to the feast of the Assembly Chairman!

Uninvited persons are not allowed here.

You only know one side of the story.

Who saved the Assembly Chairman?

It is Doctor Jin there.

Then, who saved Doctor Jin's life?

It's me!

So in the end, the one who saved the Assembly Chairman...

would be no one else but me.

- Hey, please say something. - He is right.

Let him go.

He said let me go!

Wait.

Aren't you Gyung Tak, the son of the Assembly Chairman's concubine?

I heard you are the best in martial arts.

Please don't go near the top seats.

You can stay your stomach somewhere down there.

How stiff-necked he is!

He's arrogant for a born of a concubine.

You even saved the Assembly Chairman.

Your skills are too good to be wasted like this.

What do you mean?

Can't you see?

Look at these people puffed up about being noblemen.

All these people are money.

If you treat them and charge 20...

No, they will pay more than 100 coins without hesitation...

if you say you'd save their lives.

I can put you through them.

How about we split the money fifty-fifty?

Is that why you came after me?

Why? You don't like fifty-fifty?

Okay then, take 60 percent.

Okay, fine.

I'll be generous. You take 70 percent.

He wants to see the doctor first.

Did you tell him Lady Young Lae is here too?

Yes. But he wants to see the doctor first.

Doctor, please come with me.

All right? Give it a thought.

Welcome!

He is the doctor who saved my life.

Come, let me serve you a drink.

So,

your medicine is that wondrous?

It is nothing.

Sure, it is not.

They say you have divine medical skills.

Doctor Yu, you saw it yourself, didn't you?

Yes, but it is very mysterious.

Maybe I'm short in knowledge,

but I've never seen such medicine in any medical book across ages.

Maybe he studied in Qing or learned it from Western people.

Am I right?

Well,

yes.

I've also studied Chinese and Western medicine.

- But... - It's not so important...

where he learned the skills.

He saved my life, and that's important.

- Right? - Absolutely!

Tell me anything you want.

Whatever it may be,

I will grant your wish.

It's okay.

No greed on top of his medical skills!

What a doctor of rare integrity!

Saving a life is his bounden duty as a doctor.

Rather, since you released this lawbreaker who deserved death,

your virtue is worthy of praise.

Look at him.

The royal physician is better at talking...

than at treating the sick.

Didn't the Assembly Chairman allow my audience yet?

Please tell the Assembly Chairman...

that Naval Officer Park Hee Bok is here to see him.

I think I had better leave now.

Please wait.

He will soon allow your audience.

I can pay my felicitation next time.

Excuse me then.

My lord!

My lord,

Lady Young Lae is here to pay her felicitation to you.

How impertinent of you!

What do you think you're doing?

This is a day of celebration.

Sit down.

So,

you are the daughter of Hong In Kyu?

I am.

You grew up into a beautiful woman.

Is your mother well?

Yes.

She sent her felicitation to you, my lord.

I appreciate it.

What is it in your hand?

This is a gift for you.

Did your brother pass the state examination?

He didn't yet.

Had he inherited his father's erudition,

he would've passed.

Too bad.

How did you know I like this cookie?

Tell your brother to pay me a visit.

Even though he lacks learning,

he may be able to play a county magistrate.

That is too gracious of you.

A country magistrate for this mere cookie?

If I bring you rice cake,

maybe I can have a royal secretary seat then.

That's enough.

You carry a joke too far.

I invited her.

She didn't come here to ask the favor of you.

I had her come so she could pay her respects to you, my lord.

As my fiancee,

it would be her dutiful manners.

A child of a concubine dares...

to marry a lady of noble birth?

Well,

her family lives in need.

She can't be choosey.

No, she can't.

I'd like to...

excuse myself.

On this happy day,

I would like to add to your merriment.

Wishing the Assembly Chairman's health and peace,

here we go!

You wenches, why are you just watching?

I'm working them up. Play the music already!

My lady!

Why?

Is there more humiliation I have to suffer?

Why did you invite me?

For what?

Please let go of me.

No matter what people say,

you are my fiancee,

my dear,

and my woman.

So that was what you wanted to talk to me in private?

That you would pay a ransom and have me as your concubine?

Not a mere concubine.

Once you live with me,

all my wealth and power will be yours.

I am not interested in wealth nor power.

I...

I am on the verge of a nervous breakdown because of you.

Don't you really see my heart burning for you?

Chunhong.

Am I that valuable to you?

Certainly!

You are more valuable than my own life.

More valuable than your life...

Then, can you even die for my sake?

I bet my life!

Chunhong...

Then...

prove it.

Goodness, help!

Hey, are you crazy?

You crazy wench.

You crazy wench!

Look at that!

Isn't it Chunhong?

I'm going to die. That crazy wench.

Save me. What a crazy wench.

- For goodness sake. - My lord.

That crazy wench is out of her mind.

Is he...

Chunhong!

- Chunhong. - Chunhong!

Hey! Wake up.

Chunhong.

Chunhong!

No, Chunhong.

You are still too young to die like this.

Hey, where the heck are you touching?

Hey.

No response.

Then...

Good gracious!

My gosh, how indecent.

Why on earth would you kiss a dead body?

Where are you touching?

She revived! She's alive!

Chunhong, are you okay?

Are you all right?

Is it you saved my life?

Please change your wet clothes first,

and get some rest until you feel better.

Had it not been for him,

you'd have almost found a watery grave.

My abode is not far from here.

You saved this lowly woman.

I'd like to repay your kindness.

Of course.

Sure, you should.

Doctor Jin, let's have merrymaking with gisaeng today!

Thank you, but maybe next time.

Hey.

Hey, Doctor Jin!

Where are you going? Hey!

Geez.

Lady Young Lae.

Let's go together.

What you just saw is artificial respiration.

That was too vulgar in broad daylight.

Please don't get me wrong.

Move away. Make way!

How dare you!

You clumsy.

You just disgraced your father, losing your head over a gisaeng.

What a scene you just made!

That crazy brat held me...

in her arms and jumped overboard all of a sudden.

- What a crazy wench. - This is a King's order!

Receive a royal command!

All the vassals are summoned to the Royal Court.

The King's order is urgent. Make it haste.

Shik.

Lady Young Lae.

Are you here to help your mom sell vegetables?

Mom!

Why don't you come to slum these days?

Everybody is waiting for you so much.

I had some reasons.

Who is he?

If he bothers you, I'll take care of him.

I feel reassured with you around.

I'll be in the neighborhood sooner or later so tell your friends.

Really? Then come quickly.

Okay. Work hard.

Mom!

Mom!

Shik...

Shik!

Make way!

Geez. Today's full of bad luck.

Mom!

What is it? There's not a moment to lose.

It's nothing.

Riffraff jumped in front of my horse.

We can't tarry! A royal command is urgent!

Let's hurry!

Mom!

They didn't even stir an eyelid when she's dying.

It's superficial temporal arteriorrhexis.

What are you? Get off of my mom!

It's okay. He is a doctor.

A doctor?

Yes. He can heal her.

How is the wound?

Arterial rupture.

Then...

Her life will be saved if I tie up the ruptured artery,

but she bled too much.

First, we need to carry her somewhere.

Please, somebody, help us.

Don't just stand by. Please help!

It seems she has no chance to live.

Why bother with a dead body?

- Mom, don't leave me. - That poor little boy.

They live in the slum. Will it be okay to carry her there?

Yes, I'll take care of her. Please go get my bag.

There's no time.

Take him to the slum.

Do as he tells you, and your mother will be all right.

Really?

Of course.

I'll be back.

What are you doing here?

Chunhong is waiting for you.

I've been looking for you.

Sorry, I have a weak stomach.

You've come at just the right time.

I must carry her immediately.

Please get some carrier to carry her.

Why should I...

Please! Hurry!

Where the heck is this slum?

Gosh. Run!

Am I crawling? I'm rushing now!

I'm a kinsman of the royal family.

Young Lae, why didn't you say you're home?

Oh, sorry.

What did he say? Did he like it?

Mother, let me tell you about the details later.

Young Lae.

- I will tell you later. - What is it?

Where are you going with that? Young Lae!

It's here.

I've only heard about the slum...

but this is...

not a place for a human being to live in.

Where is it?

- Where do you live? - Here.

Where?

Thief!

Stop the thief!

Stop there!

Give me.

Geez. What a tenacious girl!

That's important stuff. Give it back to me.

Boss.

You clumsy fool.

Can't you even ditch a mere girl?

You must be the apple of someone's eye.

This is a dead zone from police patrol.

Why don't you just go back?

I will after getting my stuff back.

Someone's life depends on it.

It's urgent. Just give it to me.

You better watch it.

I don't care whether you are of noble birth or not.

Take it over my dead body.

- Gae Bok. - Yes.

Let me see what treasure is in there...

that she even risks her own life.

Okay.

Boss.

This is the bag of that doctor.

Doctor? Who?

The one who cut your throat...

I mean, the one who saved your life.

Wait.

You mean the one who's almost beheaded?

Yes.

I think I saw him carry this at the tavern.

I told you someone's life depends on it.

Gae Bok.

Go ahead with the bag.

We have no time to lose, so please run before me.

If we delay, she will die.

She didn't' die, did she?

Don't worry. She'll be all right.

Doctor Jin!

Gosh, it's hot. Here.

- What the heck. - Thanks.

- Will it do it? - Yes.

Will she survive?

Where? Here?

Is a doctor here?

Aren't you Gae Bok?

Why are you here?

- Where is Lady Young Lae? - She's coming behind me.

She told me to first give this to you.

Sorry?

Everybody, please stay outside.

Okay, let's stay outside.

Let's get out.

No! I'm staying with my mom.

Look how he throws a fit.

Shik, trust me, and stay outside. She will be fine, okay?

But...

I told you to listen to the doctor.

Lady Young Lae.

I'll be with your mother, so don't worry about her, okay?

- Okay. - Let's get out.

There, there.

What!

What the heck are you looking at?

You live and learn.

A pickpocket ran for someone's life.

Come on. The sun will rise from the East.

I can't believe you came all the way here...

where no one is offering you a free drink.

You fool.

The sun does rise from the East.

Anyways,

my boss is itching to see you.

Next time, I'll run to bring you to my boss.

That stupid punk.

Move aside!

Father!

Mother was badly hurt.

What is that?

It's anesthetic.

Anesthetic?

A medicine that takes away the pain.

Luckily, I have a little left.

Go in later. Your wife is under treatment.

Just move aside!

- What a rude fellow. - Father!

Hey!

- Wait! - Father.

She is under treatment. Stay outside for a while.

Just stop it and get lost.

Can't you hear me?

Get lost!

What's this villain!

Father, we must save her.

No need!

There's no time. She needs treatment now.

Or her life could be in danger.

Is that so?

That's good. Let her die then.

What?

Are you deaf?

I said let her die!

What are you talking about? She can live if treated.

Live in that state?

We are no better than scum.

It's the same whichever way we die.

That woman, me,

and this boy, too.

So leave us alone!

Father...

Why?

Do you want me to kill her myself?

- Hey. - Calm down.

What's wrong with you? Are you crazy?

Let go of me! Just let go of me!

Don't.

Move aside!

No!

How dare!

I said move over!

If you are going to kill her, kill me first!

Shik...

Mom, are you okay?

Listen to your dad.

What?

My lord.

Please do as my husband tells you.

I can't...

pay your fees anyways.

What's the use...

of sustaining this worthless life?

I'd rather die and save food for my family,

so please leave me alone.

Trust me.

If treated quickly, she can survive.

After then, will you take responsibility?

Will you take care of her?

Let go of him.

What should he be responsible for?

Do you really not know?

Our lives are no better than those of the dead.

You noble folks squeezed us to this state,

and you don't know that?

Right.

I don't know that.

She is an equal patient to me...

whether of noble birth or of low birth.

Even if she's doomed to die tomorrow,

if I can save her life today,

then I save her.

Father, let him save her.

I'll make money to pay his fee.

I'll sell vegetables and pay him for the rest of my life.

I will listen to you well, I will work hard,

and I will not eat much.

So please let him save her life. Please?

Father.

Shik, my boy.

I don't need a medical fee. Don't worry about it.

Can you really...

save her life?

I will try my best.

If you are going to save her,

please heal her...

to enjoy a long life.

Honey.

Everybody, please stay outside.

We'll continue the surgery.

- How is she? - Can she live?

Poor woman...

Who can you blame?

You are to blame for living in the wrong world.

Even the healthy will get sick here.

Maybe poverty is worse than death to these people.

A life with no hope or future.

- Do a surgery first and... - Too late.

What?

Yet,

I turned my face away.

Maybe this is...

a second chance given to me...

to reinstate hope of survival, the hope of life.

I must reinstate the hope with my hands.

You're bleeding. Did you hurt a moment ago?

It's okay. I'm almost done.

But...

I'm fine.

If you're gonna keep talking, go stay outside.

Mom.

After watching her progress,

I will take out stitches in a week.

I was such an insolent to act so violently to our savior.

I deserve to die.

Thank you, doctor.

It is your son, not me, who saved your wife.

I'm proud of you.

Thank you, doctor.

Thank you for saving my mom.

Thank you.

Your bag...

is just like magic.

I can't explain what I'm seeing.

But with that, you save dying people.

Well...

But not everybody is saved with this bag.

Sometimes I lose my patients helplessly.

I am sorry for my silly talk.

Not at all.

I remember what someone told me before.

That regardless of the result,

a doctor must do his best to save a life.

That it's my duty as a doctor.

It was the same with the gisaeng.

Forgive me. I was lacked understanding.

That's okay.

By the way,

I didn't know...

he is your fiance.

It was my mother's decision.

After my father passed away,

my family's fortune was on the wane.

She had no choice for the sake of my family.

Mi Na.

Could she be another part of you?

Is there something on my face?

No, nothing.

The street is quiet, unlike this afternoon.

Excuse me, are you all right?

I think he has a bad stomachache.

He has diarrhea.

We can't leave him alone.

We'd better take him with us and give him treatment.

What's wrong?

Lady Young Lae.

It's gwejil.

I'm sorry?

I'm sure it's gwejil!

Gwejil?

Gwejil...

meaning cholera?

According to a report,

dead bodies are everywhere in cities in Southern Province.

We must keep the disease from spreading in the capital.

Maybe he has a solution.

I am talking about Doctor Jin.

There is a position fit for him.

Is this what cholera is?

This is a charm to ward off gwejil.

Do you need one too?

People are dying out there.

Aren't you going to fight against the disease?

I am fighting against it now. Can't you see?

Do you?

Isn't he your second son, Myung Bok?

I see you're attending school.

Heck! Darn it!

Father!

What's the use of learning when you can't even enter royal services?

How dare!

Myung Bok.

Let go of me!

Anyone who touches her...

shall not be forgiven.

Doctor Jin!

- How did you come here? - Doctor Jin.

Please save my Myung Bok.